Flight Path to Victory - PLEASE READ

[RickNHouston]

opinion

I don't know how well that is going to work - school hopping, that is. If we do it, it should be in conjunction and with the cooperation of Students for Ron Paul chapters at the respective schools.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=4198119330

note that some states have 30-40 chapters and visiting every school in a state will eat our time like crazy.

fly-overs to some - maybe...

second, the only way to realistically land at most of these will be with a local group coordinating it and because they are a local group having some pull w/ uni officials. As an example, I contacted one university about getting a speaker on campus once and it took over a month for them to get back to me. another time, they wanted over $800 to rent a classroom for an hour!

now, where would the blimp land??? - parking is at a premium already at schools, so asking them to block off a parking lot for us isn't going to happen. Then you've got open courtyards (grass fields) and athletic fields and we'd be asking if we could drive a multi-ton truck onto their nice, unpaved lawn to moor the blimp to - ain't gonna happen!

[/QUOTE

OK, I guess at the risk of me getting yelled at to ,,,, isn't the time period we're discussing right around the time that "most" college campuses all but close down for winter break ???

C'mon ... Don't taze me, dude!

 

[KevinF]

I think that all ideas should be assessed by facts. Within the "mathematical model" discussion, the following facts came to the surface regarding the blimp movements.

Cruising speed: 30-50 MPH
Typical Miles Per Day: 200-300 miles per day
Flight Time Per Month Contract: 160 Hours

Here are my rough calculations.
Total flight time per day: about 6-7 hours
Total days of flight: between 23 to 27 days
Maximum total flight distance in 160 hours: around 6000-7000 miles (if non-stop)

Okay, so from now on I think anyone who posts a route needs to get the emotion out of it and give us your performance indicators and metrics. Everyone posting a route should include the following rough numbers.

(1) Total flight distance
(2) Total flight days (assume 250 miles per day)
(3) Added time for fly-overs / circling around a city for exposure

If you're route is not less than 7000 total miles, and less than 27 days of total time of the blimp in the air (#2+#3), then you're route idea is probably infeasible.

 

[TCrage]

I think that all ideas should be assessed by facts. Within the "mathematical model" discussion, the following facts came to the surface regarding the blimp movements.

Cruising speed: 30-50 MPH
Typical Miles Per Day: 200-300 miles per day
Flight Time Per Month Contract: 160 Hours

Here are my rough calculations.
Total flight time per day: about 6-7 hours
Total days of flight: between 23 to 27 days
Maximum total flight distance in 160 hours: around 6000-7000 miles (if non-stop)

Okay, so from now on I think anyone who posts a route needs to get the emotion out of it and give us your performance indicators and metrics. Everyone posting a route should include the following rough numbers.

(1) Total flight distance
(2) Total flight days (assume 250 miles per day)
(3) Added time for fly-overs / circling around a city for exposure

If you're route is not less than 7000 total miles, and less than 27 days of total time of the blimp in the air (#2+#3), then you're route idea is probably infeasible.

Why? No one cares. This isn't a grassroots effort anymore.

All you need to do is have a good imagination and everything will be just fine.

Isn't Boston beautiful in the middle of Dec?

Without imagination you may incorrectly see it like this.

Now that would be just silly.

 

[TCrage]

Does anyone actually care about electing Ron Paul?

 

[TCrage]

Oh look! someone actually thought out a flight path that doesnt leave us stranded in the northeast, doesn't require an overbloated budget, utlilizes the grassroots, doesn't rely on the MSM, and does the most good where we really need it, the early primary states of SC and FL.

I think I will read this thread now that I realize how unfeasible the current flight plan is.

 

[rory096]

Oh look! someone actually thought out a flight path that doesnt leave us stranded in the northeast, doesn't require an overbloated budget, utlilizes the grassroots, doesn't rely on the MSM, and does the most good where we really need it, the early primary states of SC and FL.

I think I will read this thread now that I realize how unfeasible the current flight plan is.

The blimp leaves NH right after its primaries, and heads south. SC's primaries aren't for 11 days after NH and FL's are 10 days after that, so there'll be plenty of time to go around both states.

 

[adpierce]

What about Iowa? The blimp isn't going to Iowa. It's the first place in the nation to vote for the party nominations.

 

[rory096]

What about Iowa? The blimp isn't going to Iowa. It's the first place in the nation to vote for the party nominations.

Iowa is too far away from the other early primary states and the weather isn't really good for a blimp. Also, it's not a particularly strong state for Paul.

 

[KevinF]

The blimp leaves NH right after its primaries, and heads south. SC's primaries aren't for 11 days after NH and FL's are 10 days after that, so there'll be plenty of time to go around both states.

Yes, but this plan assumes the following:
(1) Good weather throughout most of December in New York and New Hampshire.
(2) That the blimp is going to be funded for more than one month.

Even I have to agree that the plan on the web page is wasteful, impractical and fairly non-optimal. I am however assuming that it will be flying over NH for the many days it is there. If it is just sitting there on the ground during December waiting around, that's even worse.
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/FlightPlan.php

First off, it takes 4 or more hours to drive from Washington D.C. to New York city. There is no way a blimp cruising at 30-50 MPH is going to realistically make it to NY in 6 hours. Then 6 hours to get to Boston from NY is absolutely ridiculous. I don't even think you could drive it that fast on the highways.

Secondly, why spend over 20 days in New Hampshire? That's one of the few places Ron Paul can win without the added exposure of the blimp.

Lastly, why skip over all the cities on the East coast. Philadelphia is on the way from DC to NY. Also areas like Delaware and Connecticut fall right on that path. This is the weirdest part of the whole schedule. In order to make some of the distances, you'll probably need to stop over in some mid-point areas overnight anyway, so it simply makes sense to stop in places like this.

I am personally starting to agree that South Carolina and Florida should be the primary targets for the blimp. Throw in a few other southern states for good measure. RP needs to make more headway in SC and FL than in New Hampshire.

 

[rory096]

Yes, but this plan assumes the following:
(1) Good weather throughout most of December in New York and New Hampshire.
(2) That the blimp is going to be funded for more than one month.

Even I have to agree that the plan on the web page is wasteful, impractical and fairly non-optimal. I am however assuming that it will be flying over NH for the many days it is there. If it is just sitting there on the ground during December waiting around, that's even worse.
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/FlightPlan.php

First off, it takes 4 or more hours to drive from Washington D.C. to New York city. There is no way a blimp cruising at 30-50 MPH is going to realistically make it to NY in 6 hours. Then 6 hours to get to Boston from NY is absolutely ridiculous. I don't even think you could drive it that fast on the highways.

Secondly, why spend over 20 days in New Hampshire? That's one of the few places Ron Paul can win without the added exposure of the blimp.

Lastly, why skip over all the cities on the East coast. Philadelphia is on the way from DC to NY. Also areas like Delaware and Connecticut fall right on that path. This is the weirdest part of the whole schedule. In order to make some of the distances, you'll probably need to stop over in some mid-point areas overnight anyway, so it simply makes sense to stop in places like this.

I am personally starting to agree that South Carolina and Florida should be the primary targets for the blimp. Throw in a few other southern states for good measure. RP needs to make more headway in SC and FL than in New Hampshire.

The blimp cruises at 60 miles per hour, I believe. In addition it can go as the crow flies if necessary, so it can go much faster. Also the trip from NY to Boston is ~5 hours without traffic (which isn't a problem for a blimp); I made that trip two weeks ago. New Hampshire is one of the few places Ron Paul can win at all, so we need to expend every effort to make sure it actually happens.

 

[KevinF]

Iowa is too far away from the other early primary states and the weather isn't really good for a blimp. Also, it's not a particularly strong state for Paul.

I agree that Iowa might be too far out of the way, but the Iowa weather is probably better than that of NH, Boston and New York. Further, isn't the whole point of the blimp to improve the RP standing in important states?

My prediction is that this race is going to turn into Huckabee vs. Paul. I think the rest will fall by the wayside eventually, although Giuliani will probably hold out the longest.

 

[KevinF]

The blimp cruises at 60 miles per hour, I believe. In addition it can go as the crow flies if necessary, so it can go much faster. Also the trip from NY to Boston is ~5 hours without traffic (which isn't a problem for a blimp); I made that trip two weeks ago. New Hampshire is one of the few places Ron Paul can win at all, so we need to expend every effort to make sure it actually happens.

According to the numbers I've seen the MAXIMUM speed is 60-70 MPH. Cruising speed is 30-50 MPH, and typical miles per day is 200-300. The schedule just is not feasible given those numbers which were presented by one of the people tasked with the logistics.

 

[rory096]

I agree that Iowa might be too far out of the way, but the Iowa weather is probably better than that of NH, Boston and New York. Further, isn't the whole point of the blimp to improve the RP standing in important states?

My prediction is that this race is going to turn into Huckabee vs. Paul. I think the rest will fall by the wayside eventually, although Giuliani will probably hold out the longest.

Yes, but we want to improve his standings in as many places as possible, and going all the way to Iowa would force us not to go to New Hampshire, Boston on the 16th (not an important primary, but a good morale-booster for supporters), NY (most important fundraising city), and SC and FL (important primaries)

 

[NewEnd]

Oh look! someone actually thought out a flight path that doesnt leave us stranded in the northeast, doesn't require an overbloated budget, utlilizes the grassroots, doesn't rely on the MSM, and does the most good where we really need it, the early primary states of SC and FL.

I think I will read this thread now that I realize how unfeasible the current flight plan is.

You might be right, I'll admit.

Unfortunately, getting it to Boston for the Tea Party is part of the whole schtick, I think.

I do hope they rethink their flight schedule a bit... Honestly, I was a tad disappointed, especially considering new england weather.. teh blimp may just do better in the south anyways.... NASCAR country and all.

 

[Ethek]

You might be right, I'll admit.

Unfortunately, getting it to Boston for the Tea Party is part of the whole schtick, I think.

I do hope they rethink their flight schedule a bit... Honestly, I was a tad disappointed, especially considering new england weather.. teh blimp may just do better in the south anyways.... NASCAR country and all.

I think NH is important. However, I don't think it needs to spend 24 days in NH. Maybe cut that short by a week and use it to get down to a bowl game in FL. It may have some down time for the crew over Christmas so that could be why it's slated there for 3 1/2 weeks.

After the initial sprint around NH the media coverage will be a bit stale there. After the bowls in FL it could start hammering on SC to get Dr. Paul's unfavorable rating down there by getting his name out. I also think it would go a long way to deliver WV if we could get it to Charleston WV Feb4th and the morning of the 5th. It would be a big thing for all of the delegates to see coming in on the interstate and seeing that baby hanging over the convention center.

 

[leonster]

I think NH is important. However, I don't think it needs to spend 24 days in NH. Maybe cut that short by a week and use it to get down to a bowl game in FL. It may have some down time for the crew over Christmas so that could be why it's slated there for 3 1/2 weeks.

After the initial sprint around NH the media coverage will be a bit stale there. After the bowls in FL it could start hammering on SC to get Dr. Paul's unfavorable rating down there by getting his name out. I also think it would go a long way to deliver WV if we could get it to Charleston WV Feb4th and the morning of the 5th. It would be a big thing for all of the delegates to see coming in on the interstate and seeing that baby hanging over the convention center.

I agree about NH. We want this thing to draw media and attention... especially local media. But local media won't report about it day after day... they'll do one big piece the first day, then the next day mention something about where it went, and then nothing after that. Two or three days is enough... hit the populated areas in the south of the state, fly it up the state a bit if weather allows, maybe hit Maine for a few hours... then start flying it back south.

I think bringing it to NH is a fantastic idea... but I think after 2-3 days in a small state like that, you hit seriously diminishing returns (it won't be interesting when you've already seen it three times), and it would be better to have it somewhere new, picking up the great initial returns in another state.

Basically, the INITIAL reactions are what will get attention for the blimp/Ron Paul... but it becomes old news quickly, so move on somewhere new.

 

[michael.byrne]

NH stop should be 1-2 days only

I think bringing it to NH is a fantastic idea... but I think after 2-3 days in a small state like that, you hit seriously diminishing returns (it won't be interesting when you've already seen it three times), and it would be better to have it somewhere new, picking up the great initial returns in another state.

Basically, the INITIAL reactions are what will get attention for the blimp/Ron Paul... but it becomes old news quickly, so move on somewhere new.

That's what I thought. The weather in NH is pretty bad now and it's getting worse. I make a poll about this, please vote.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=46677

 

[smartbandwidth]

Blimp Should Be In Boston..

Tom makes some great points. But Boston is where it all began. We need to use the Teaparty to leverage the exposure-benefit the blimp creates.

The site of the Ron Paul blimp floating above the general area where the tea party took place would be incredibly powerful and inspiring!

 

[TCrage]

Tom makes some great points. But Boston is where it all began. We need to use the Teaparty to leverage the exposure-benefit the blimp creates.

The site of the Ron Paul blimp floating above the general area where the tea party took place would be incredibly powerful and inspiring!

Thank you.

I addressed the exposure-benifit in a few of my posts. The TeaParty has a life of it's own. The money will come. Blimp or no blimp. I think the exposure and first strike aspect of going straight to SC would actually be more benificial. The exposure-benifit we are looking for is with the people in SC/FL that we need to vote for Ron Paul.

Another thing to consider is that SC and FL are closed primaries. Must be registered Republican by Dec 16th in SC and Dec 31st in FL. Going straight to SC on the 10th, and using a concentrated effort in SC/FL while putting out the message to register, would be a great way to benifit from the exposure a blimp would give. A Boston trip does not have that effect.

It all comes down to not being convinced the MSM is our friend. They could easily downplay the blimp in Boston. It's basically just a joy ride for our pleasure. They would cover the blimp flying over Columbia, SC, just as much if the money was flowing in. I trust the local SC media a lot more. We are bringing national excitement to their state. How often do they get that?

 

[francisco]

Thank you.

I addressed the exposure-benifit in a few of my posts. The TeaParty has a life of it's own. The money will come. Blimp or no blimp. I think the exposure and first strike aspect of going straight to SC would actually be more benificial. The exposure-benifit we are looking for is with the people in SC/FL that we need to vote for Ron Paul.

Another thing to consider is that SC and FL are closed primaries. Must be registered Republican by Dec 16th in SC and Dec 31st in FL. Going straight to SC on the 10th, and using a concentrated effort in SC/FL while putting out the message to register, would be a great way to benifit from the exposure a blimp would give. A Boston trip does not have that effect.

It all comes down to not being convinced the MSM is our friend. They could easily downplay the blimp in Boston. It's basically just a joy ride for our pleasure. They would cover the blimp flying over Columbia, SC, just as much if the money was flowing in. I trust the local SC media a lot more. We are bringing national excitement to their state. How often do they get that?

Don't NH and Boston have local media as well? Why would local media cover SC/FL but not NH/Boston?